Football Preview: Muskies Look To Topple Red Devils
Sept. 25, 2003

Lakeland (2-1, 0-0) vs. Eureka (0-3, 0-0)
Game Time: Saturday, Sept. 27, 1:30pm
Location: Lakeland College, Taylor Field
by: Corey Kempf

Players to Watch: Lakeland (stats through three games) - Brent Luebke, Sr., QB (53 for 109, 532 yards, 4 TDs; 45 rushes for 78 yards, 3 TDs), Nick Hunter, Jr., RB (33 rushes for 172 yards, 1 TD), Marcus Denham, Fr., RB (40 rushes for 120), Travis Gervais, Jr., RB (10 rushes for 42 yards, 1 TD), Shaun Behrend, Sr, WR (16 receptions for 186 yards, 3 TDs), Jeff Taff, Sr., WR (16 receptions for 144 yards), Mike Gregory, Jr., LB (21 tackles, 1 sack), Roosevelt Moore, Sr., LB (21 tackles, 1 sack), Ryan Van De Loo, So., LB (19 tackles, 1 INT), Nick Zeck, So., DE (12 tackles, 3 sacks), Jacob Vigilante, Jr., LB (10 tackles, 1 sack, 1 INT), David Benton, So., DE (11 tackles, 3 sacks), Shane Schrimpf, So., DL (8 tackles, 3 sacks). Eureka (stats through three games) - Dwayne Siggers, So., QB (26 for 58, 274 yards, 2 TDs), Andy Swenson, So., RB (69 rushes for 414 yards, 2 TDs), Andy Craig, Jr., WR (14 receptions for 136 yards, 1 TD), Dave O' Donal, Jr., WR (11 receptions for 112 yards, 1 TD), Bryan Wilkey, So., FS (24 tackles), Jason Spang, Jr., SS (21 tackles, 1 INT), Keith Brown, Jr., DE (17 tackles, 2 sacks).

Outlook: Eureka heads into the game coming off a close loss to North Park, 23-21. Defensive End Keith Brown was named Illini-Badger Defensive Player of the Week after his efforts in the game. Look for him to try to duplicate his performance in this match-up. He and the Red Devils defense will have to try to hold strong against an explosive Muskie rushing attack and get pressure on Lakeland quarterback Brent Luebke to keep him from repeating a 300-yard passing effort last week against a very stingy Oshkosh defense. The Red Devil offense may have an equally challenging task of moving the ball effectively against a Lakeland team that held its line against a powerful Oshkosh numerous times. They may have trouble passing the ball as they have all season so far. They've given up a team total of eight interceptions, and the Muskies secondary will look to make them give up more.

Lakeland returns to Taylor Field this week after suffering a heartbreaking four-overtime, three-point loss to Wisconsin-Oshkosh. Shaun Behrend, IBFC's Offensive Player of the Week after receiving 12 passes for 158 yards and 3 TDs last week, and the Muskie offense will again show its versatility by mixing run and pass plays as they have all season. The Muskies will face a Eureka defense that has allowed 88 points so far this season including a 37-0 drubbing. Last year, the Muskies beat the Red Devils 35-0 in Eureka. Expect a similar result at the end of this one caused by the Muskie defense being too stingy for the inconsistent Red Devils.

Coaches: Jim Zebrowski is 2-1 with Lakeland in his first year as head coach. Darrell Crouch is in his fourth year as head coach for Eureka.

Last Year: The Muskies blanked the Red Devils, 35-0, in Eureka.